Sample container carrier, laboratory sample distribution system and laboratory automation system

ABSTRACT

A sample container carrier, a laboratory sample distribution system comprising such a sample container carrier and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system are presented.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of PCT/EP2018/074123, filed Sep. 7,2018, which is based on and claims priority to EP 17190907.0, filed Sep.13, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to a sample container carrier,a laboratory sample distribution system comprising such a samplecontainer carrier and a laboratory automation system comprising such alaboratory sample distribution system.

Known laboratory sample distribution systems are typically used inlaboratory automation systems in order to distribute laboratory samplescontained in laboratory sample containers between different laboratorystations by means of sample container carriers. The sample containercarrier comprises spring arms for holding the laboratory samplecontainer.

However, there is a need for a sample container carrier having improvedproperties.

SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure, a sample container carrier forholding a laboratory sample container and for transporting the heldlaboratory sample container in a laboratory sample distribution systemis presented. The sample container carrier can comprise a first holdingelement and a second holding element. The first holding element and thesecond holding element can be displaceable towards and/or away from eachother within a holding region for holding the laboratory samplecontainer. At least one of the first and second holding elements can berotationally displaceable. The sample container carrier can alsocomprise a coupler. The coupler can be connected to the first holdingelement and to the second holding element within a coupling region suchthat the coupler can couple displacements of the first holding elementand the second holding element. The coupler can be rotationally moveablesuch that the coupler can couple by its rotational movement thedisplacements of the first holding element and the second holdingelement. The sample container carrier can also comprise a preventionelement. The prevention element can be spatially arranged between theholding region and the coupling region and can be configured to preventthe laboratory sample container and/or a laboratory sample from gettinginto the coupling region. The coupling region and the holding region canbe arranged along a central axis (CA) of the sample container carrier.The coupler can be moveably mounted to the prevention element. Thesample container carrier can also comprise a coupler-holder. Thecoupler-holder can extend from the prevention element away into thecoupling region. The prevention element and the coupler-holder can beembodied as one piece. The coupler can be pivot-mounted to thecoupler-holder such that the central axis (CA) can be a rotational axisof the coupler.

Accordingly, it is a feature of the embodiments of the presentdisclosure to provide a sample container carrier having improvedproperties. Other features of the embodiments of the present disclosurewill be apparent in light of the description of the disclosure embodiedherein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of specific embodiments of thepresent disclosure can be best understood when read in conjunction withthe following drawings, where like structure is indicated with likereference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a sample container carrieraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the sample containercarrier of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section view of the sample container carrierof FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of holding elements, a coupler anda prevention element of the sample container carrier of FIG. 1 accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates another perspective view of the holding elements, thecoupler and the prevention element of FIG. 1 according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of one of the holding elements ofthe sample container carrier of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a laboratory automation systemcomprising the sample container carrier of FIG. 1 holding a laboratorysample container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic cross section view of the samplecontainer carrier of FIG. 1 holding the laboratory sample containeraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a sample container carrieraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates another perspective view of the sample containercarrier of FIG. 9 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross section view of the sample container carrierof FIG. 9 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of holding elements, a couplerand a prevention element of the sample container carrier of FIG. 9according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates another perspective view of the holding elements,the coupler and the prevention element of FIG. 9 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of one of the holding elements ofthe sample container carrier of FIG. 9 according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates a lower housing part of the sample container carrierof FIG. 9 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates an upper housing part of the sample containercarrier of FIG. 9 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in whichare shown by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, specificembodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical,mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the present disclosure.

A sample container carrier for holding a laboratory sample container andfor transporting the held laboratory sample container in a laboratorysample distribution system is presented. The sample container carriercan comprise a first holding element and a second holding element. Thefirst holding element and the second holding element can be displaceablesuch as, for example, rotationally displaceable, towards and/or awayfrom each other within a holding region for holding the laboratorysample container. Furthermore, the sample container carrier can comprisea coupler. The coupler can be connected such as, for example, directlyand/or mechanically connected, to the first holding element and to thesecond holding element within a coupling region such that the couplercan couple displacements such as, for example, rotational displacements,of the first holding element and the second holding element such as, forexample, with each other. Moreover, the sample container carrier cancomprise a prevention element. The prevention element can be spatiallyarranged between the holding region and the coupling region and can beconfigured to prevent the laboratory sample container and/or alaboratory sample from getting into the coupling region. The couplingregion and the holding region can be arranged along a central axis ofthe sample container carrier. The coupler can be rotationally moveablesuch that the coupler can couple by its rotational movement thedisplacements of the first holding element and the second holdingelement such as, for example, with each other. The coupler can bemoveably mounted to the prevention element. The sample container carriercan comprise a coupler-holder. The coupler-holder can extend from theprevention element away into the coupling region. The prevention elementand the coupler-holder can be embodied as one piece. The coupler can bepivot-mounted to the coupler-holder such that the central axis can be arotational axis of the coupler. At least one, in particular all, of theholding elements can be, in particular only, rotationally displaceable.

The laboratory sample container may be designed as a tube made of glassor transparent plastic and may have an opening at an upper end. Thelaboratory sample container may be used to contain, store and transporta laboratory sample such as a blood sample, a urine sample or a chemicalsample.

The sample container carrier may comprise only or exactly the twoholding elements, namely the first holding element and the secondholding element. Alternatively, the sample container carrier maycomprise a third holding element, or, additionally a fourth holdingelement, or even more holding elements. All of the holding element/s maybe displaceable towards and/or away from each other within the holdingregion for holding the laboratory sample container. The coupler may beconnected to all of the holding elements within the coupling region suchthat the coupler may couple displacements of all of the holdingelements. At least one, in particular all, of the holding elements maynot be or does/do not have to be translationally displaceable. In oneembodiment, at least one, in particular all, of the holding elements,may be substantially horizontally displaceable such as, for example,substantially orthogonal to the central axis of the sample containercarrier. In other words, at least one, in particular all, of the holdingelements may not be or does/do not have to be vertically displaceablesuch as, for example, along the central axis.

The first holding element and/or the second holding element may beconfigured to be in direct contact with the laboratory sample containerfor holding the laboratory sample container. The contact between theholding elements and the laboratory sample container may take placewithin the holding region. The holding region may be defined and/orlimited by the holding elements. Additionally or, alternatively, theholding region may be defined by the prevention element and/or a basebody, if present, of the sample container carrier. The holding regionmay be open at one side such as, for example, at a top or face side suchas, for example, for enabling an insertion of the laboratory samplecontainer into the sample container carrier. The held laboratory samplecontainer may be at least partially positioned between the first holdingelement and the second holding element. In one embodiment, the firstholding element and the second holding element may be arranged in asymmetric manner around a center and/or the central axis of the samplecontainer carrier such that a point or line of contact, i.e. holding, ofeach of the first holding element and the second holding element withthe laboratory sample container is equidistant from the center and/orfrom the central axis of the sample container carrier. The center may belocated on the central axis. The center may be a center of gravity ofthe sample container carrier. The central axis may be a symmetry axis ofthe sample container carrier such as, for example, a longitudinal and/ora vertical axis. In other words, the held laboratory sample containermay be centralized by the first holding element and the second holdingelement into the center of the sample container carrier. The heldlaboratory sample container may comprise a circumference, wherein thefirst holding element and/or the second holding element hold thelaboratory sample container at its circumference within the holdingregion. The held laboratory sample container may be held by the firstholding element and/or the second holding element such that the openingof the laboratory sample container, if present, may be facing away fromthe sample container carrier such as, for example, the preventionelement. Furthermore, the held laboratory sample container such as, forexample, an end face or a bottom of the laboratory sample container, maybe supported by the prevention element.

The coupler may be a mechanical coupler. In one embodiment, the couplermay be a lever, a slide, a belt, a rubber band or a gear-wheel. Thecoupler may be configured to perform a movement, when the first holdingelement and/or the second holding element may be displaced. The couplermay be configured to transfer a displacement of the first holdingelement into a displacement of the second holding element. The couplermay be configured to transfer a displacement of the second holdingelement into a displacement of the first holding element. The couplingregion may be defined and/or limited by the prevention element and/orthe base body, if present. In one embodiment, the coupler may be, inparticular completely, arranged spatially arranged within the couplingregion. The coupler may be only rotationally moveable. The coupler maybe rotationally moveable around the center and/or the central axis ofthe sample container carrier. The coupler may perform a rotationalmovement when the first holding element and/or the second holdingelement are/is displaced. The coupler may not perform a translationalmovement. The coupler may be moveably mounted to the base body, ifpresent.

The sample container carrier may enable a synchronization of thedisplacements of the first holding element and the second holdingelement. This may enable holding the laboratory sample container in adefined holding position such as, for example, independent from a typeand/or a size of the laboratory sample container. Furthermore, this mayenable each of the first holding element and the second holding elementto apply a similar or identical holding force value to the laboratorysample container. Thereby, balanced forces may be provide.

The prevention element may enable to avoid a malfunction of the samplecontainer carrier such as, for example, its coupler and its couplingmechanism, respectively, which may be caused by the laboratory samplecontainer and/or the laboratory sample. Additionally or, alternatively,the prevention element may enable to avoid a contamination or apollution of the coupling region such as, for example, which may becaused by the laboratory sample. In other words, the prevention elementmay enable to keep the sample container carrier within its couplingregion clean or at least to enable a relatively easy cleaning of thesample container carrier. The prevention element may enable a relativelyhigh reliability of the sample container carrier.

In one embodiment, the prevention element may be a plate, a wall or afence. The prevention element may be configured to prevent liquid and/ordust from getting into the coupling region. In one embodiment, theprevention element alone or the prevention element in combination withan additional sealing element may seal the coupling region in awaterproof manner. The prevention element may separate and/or divide theholding region from the coupling region. The prevention element may bean intermediate level or a middle floor of the sample container carrier.In one embodiment, the prevention element may be arranged such as, forexample, spatially arranged, along a straight line between the holdingregion and the coupling region.

According to an embodiment, the sample container carrier can comprise agear tooth system. The coupler can be connected to the first holdingelement and/or to the second holding element by the gear tooth system.The gear tooth system may be arranged within the coupling region. Thegear tooth system may comprise a gear-rack, a gear-wheel or a segment ofa gear-wheel.

According to an embodiment, the sample container carrier can comprise astop element. The stop element can be configured to cooperate with thefirst holding element and/or the second holding element and/or thecoupler such that the displacements of the first holding element and thesecond holding element are limited. In one embodiment, the displacementsof the first holding element and the second holding element towards eachother may be limited by the stop element. The stop element may define adefault or relaxed position of the first holding element and/or thesecond holding element. The default position may be a position of thefirst holding

According to an embodiment, the first holding element and/or the secondholding element can be displaceable mounted to the prevention element bya pivot joint. Additionally, the prevention element may be configured toguide the displacement/s of the first holding element and/or the secondholding element. Additionally or, alternatively, the first holdingelement and/or the second holding element may be displaceable mounted tothe base body.

According to an embodiment, the first holding element and/or the secondholding element can extend from the prevention element away into theholding region by a maximum of 35 millimeter (mm). In anotherembodiment, the first holding element and/or the second holding elementcan extend from the prevention element away into the holding region by amaximum of 30 mm. In yet another embodiment, the first holding elementand/or the second holding element can extend from the prevention elementaway into the holding region by a maximum of 25 mm. In still anotherembodiment, the first holding element and/or the second holding elementcan extend from the prevention element away into the holding region by amaximum of 15 mm. In still yet another embodiment, the first holdingelement and/or the second holding element can extend from the preventionelement away into the holding region by a maximum of 10 mm. In otherwords, the first holding element and/or the second holding element maybe configured to hold the laboratory sample container at a 35 mm, 30 mm,25 mm, 15 mm, or 10 mm, long end portion of the laboratory samplecontainer. Such a relatively short holding element/s may not cover abarcode arranged at the held laboratory sample container. Thereby, thebarcode may be readable from the outside.

According to an embodiment, the first holding element and/or the secondholding element can comprise a number of jaws (e.g., 1 to 10) within theholding region for holding the laboratory sample container. In oneembodiment, each holding element may comprise only one jaw. The jaws maybe configured to be in direct contact with the held laboratory samplecontainer. Each jaw may comprise or form a circular segment or section.The number of jaws and their longitudinal axes, respectively, may beoriented substantially parallel to the center and/or the central axis.The number of jaws may comprise a number of first jaws and a number ofsecond jaws, wherein the first holding element and the number of firstjaws may be formed in one-piece and/or the second holding element andthe number of second jaws may be formed in one-piece. The jaws may bedistributed around the central axis in an equidistant and/or equiangularmanner. At least one of the number of jaws may comprise a corrugationfor holding the laboratory sample container. This may enable arelatively high friction and/or grip between the corrugated jaw and thelaboratory sample container. The corrugation may be a ribbing. In oneembodiment, the corrugation may be configured not to destroy and/or toaffect the laboratory sample container. The number of jaws may not haveto be arranged within the coupling region.

According to an embodiment, the first holding element and/or the secondholding element can comprise a lever arm, wherein the lever arm cancomprise a curved shape and wherein the jaw can be arranged at such as,for example, an end portion of, the lever arm such that the lever arm isnot in contact, in particular in direct contact, with the laboratorysample container, when the laboratory sample container can be insertedinto, held by and/or removed from the sample container carrier. This canenable a desired friction such as, for example, a relatively lowfriction, between at least one of the holding elements and thelaboratory sample container such as, for example, during the insertionor a removal of the laboratory sample container such that the laboratorysample container may only relatively little or not be rotated during theinsertion or the removal. The curved shape may be in form of a segmentof a circle. The lever arm may be denoted as a flap.

According to an embodiment, the number of jaws can comprise a flexibleand/or soft material for holding the laboratory sample container. Thiscan enable a relatively reliable contact and/or a desired frictionbetween the number of jaws and the laboratory sample container. In oneembodiment, the first holding element and/or the second holding elementmay be a multi-component injection molding part, wherein the number ofjaws can be made of a softer material such as, for example, arubber-based-material.

According to an embodiment, the first holding element and/or the secondholding element can comprise an insertion support. The insertion supportis configured to cooperate together with the laboratory sample containerto be held such that the holding element comprising the insertionsupport can be displaced when the laboratory sample container isinserted into the sample container carrier. This can enable a relativelysimple insertion of the laboratory sample container to be held into thesample container carrier. The insertion support may be an inclinedplane, inclined surface or inclined edge. At least one respective jaw ofthe number of jaws, if present, may comprise the insertion support.

According to an embodiment, the sample container carrier can comprise aretaining element applying a force to the first holding element and/orto the second holding element and/or to the coupler such that the firstholding element and the second holding element can be force-loadedtowards each other for holding the laboratory sample container. This canenable a relatively reliable holding of the laboratory sample container.Additionally or, alternatively, the retaining element may apply a forcesuch that the first holding element and the second holding element maybe displaced towards each other such as, for example, into the defaultposition, if present, when the laboratory sample container may beremoved from the sample container carrier. The retaining element maycomprise or be an elastic element. The retaining element may comprise orbe a spring, a rubber element, a rubber band, at least one magnet, acable pull system, a pneumatic system or a hydraulic system.

According to an embodiment, the sample container carrier can comprise amagnetically active element, wherein the magnetically active element canbe configured to interact with a magnetic field generated by a driveelement such that a driving force such as, for example, a magneticdriving force, can be applied to the sample container carrier. Themagnetically active element may be a permanent magnet or anelectro-magnet. The magnetically active element may comprise amagnetically soft material.

A laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The laboratorysample distribution system can comprise a number of sample containercarriers (e.g., 1 to 1000) as described above, a transport plane, anumber of drive elements (e.g., 1 to 10000) and a control device. Thetransport plane can be configured to support the number of samplecontainer carriers. The number of drive elements can be configured tomove the number of sample container carriers on the transport plane. Thecontrol device can be configured to control the number of drive elementssuch that the number of sample container carriers can move on thetransport plane along corresponding transport paths. The advantages ofthe sample container carrier as discussed above can be made applicablefor the laboratory sample distribution system.

The transport plane may also be denoted as transport surface. Thetransport plane may support the sample container carriers, what may alsobe denoted as carrying the sample container carriers. The samplecontainer carriers may be translationally moved on the transport plane.The sample container carriers may be configured to move in twodimensions on the transport plane. The number of sample containercarriers may slide over the transport plane. The control device may bean integrated circuit, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a computer or aprocessing control system. Each of the sample container carriers maymove on the transport plane along an individual transport path.

According to an embodiment, the number of drive elements can comprise anumber of electro-magnetic actuators (e.g., 1 to 10000), wherein thenumber of electro-magnetic actuators can be stationary arranged belowthe transport plane and can be configured to generate a magnetic fieldto move the number of sample container carriers on the transport plane.Each of the number of sample container carriers can comprise amagnetically active element, wherein the magnetically active element canbe configured to interact with the magnetic field generated by thenumber of electro-magnetic actuators such that a driving force such as,for example, a magnetic driving force, can be applied to the samplecontainer carrier. The control device can be configured to control thenumber of electro-magnetic actuators such that the number of samplecontainer carriers can move on the transport plane along correspondingtransport paths. In one embodiment, the electro-magnetic actuators maybe solenoids surrounding ferromagnetic cores. Furthermore, theelectro-magnetic actuators may be driven or energized individually inorder to generate or to provide the magnetic field. The electro-magneticactuators may be arranged in two dimensions such as, for example, in agrid or matrix having rows and columns, along which the electro-magneticactuators can be arranged. The electro-magnetic actuators may bearranged in a plane substantially parallel to the transport plane.

A laboratory automation system is also present. The laboratoryautomation system can comprise a number of laboratory stations (e.g., 1to 50) and a laboratory sample distribution system as described above.The laboratory sample distribution system can be configured todistribute the number of sample container carriers and/or laboratorysample containers between the laboratory stations. The advantages of thelaboratory sample distribution system, as discussed above, can be madeapplicable for the laboratory automation system.

The laboratory stations may be arranged adjacent or directly next to thelaboratory sample distribution system such as, for example, to thetransport plane of the laboratory sample distribution system. The numberof laboratory stations may comprise pre-analytical, analytical and/orpost-analytical laboratory stations. Pre-analytical laboratory stationsmay be configured to perform any kind of pre-processing of samples,sample containers and/or sample container carriers. Analyticallaboratory stations may be configured to use a sample or part of thesample and a reagent to generate a measuring signal, the measuringsignal indicating if and in which concentration, if any, an analyteexists. Post-analytical laboratory stations may be configured to performany kind of post-processing of samples, sample containers and/or samplecontainer carriers. The pre-analytical, analytical and/orpost-analytical laboratory stations may comprise at least one of adecapping station, a recapping station, an aliquot station, acentrifugation station, an archiving station, a pipetting station, asorting station, a tube type identification station, a sample qualitydetermining station, an add-on buffer station, a liquid level detectionstation, a sealing/desealing station, a pushing station, a belt station,a conveying system station and/or a gripper station for moving thesample container to or from the sample container carrier.

FIGS. 1-8 and 9-16 show an inventive sample container carrier 140 forholding a laboratory sample container 130 and for transporting the heldlaboratory sample container 130 in a laboratory sample distributionsystem 100. The sample container carrier can comprise a first holdingelement 150, a second holding element 160, a coupler 170 and aprevention element 220. The first holding element 150 and the secondholding element 160 can be displaceable towards and/or away from eachother within a holding region 165 for holding the laboratory samplecontainer 130. The coupler 170 can be connected to the first holdingelement 150 and to the second holding element 160 within a couplingregion 166 such that the coupler 170 can couple displacements of thefirst holding element 150 and the second holding element 160. Theprevention element 220 can be arranged between the holding region 165and the coupling region 166 and can be configured to prevent thelaboratory sample container 130 and/or a laboratory sample 135 fromgetting into the coupling region 166.

In the shown embodiment, the sample container carrier 140 can comprise athird holding element 151. In alternative embodiments, the samplecontainer carrier may comprise only two holding elements such as, forexample, the first holding element and the second holding element.Furthermore, in alternative embodiments, the sample container carriermay comprise four or more than four holding elements. All of the holdingelements 150, 151, 160 can be rotationally displaceable towards and/oraway from each other within the holding region 165 for holding thelaboratory sample container 130, as shown in FIG. 2 by arrows P1, P2,P3. The coupler 170 can be connected to all of the holding elements 150,151, 160 within the coupling region 166 such that the coupler 170 cancouple displacements of all of the holding elements 150, 151, 160, inparticular with each other.

The coupling region 166 can be defined by the prevention element 220 anda base body 149 of the sample container carrier 140. The coupler 170 canbe arranged within the coupling region 166. Besides, the base body 149of the sample container carrier 140 can be shaped such that a centralaxis CA can be a longitudinal axis of the base body 149.

In detail, the coupler 170 can be rotationally moveable such that thecoupler 170 can couple by its rotational movement the displacements ofthe holding elements 150, 151, 160. In the shown embodiment, the samplecontainer carrier 140 can comprise a coupler-holder 179, as shown inFIG. 3. The coupler-holder 179 can extend from the prevention element220 away into the coupling region 166 such as, for example, along thecentral axis CA and/or to the base body 149. In detail, the preventionelement 220 and the coupler-holder 179 can be embodied as one piece. Thecoupler 170 can be moveably mounted such as, for example, pivot-mounted,to the coupler-holder 179 such that the central axis CA can be arotational axis of the coupler 170, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 by anarrow P4.

In the shown embodiment, the sample container carrier 140 can comprise agear tooth system 230. The coupler 170 can be connected to the holdingelements 150, 151, 160 by the gear tooth system 230. The gear toothsystem 230 can be arranged within the coupling region 166. In detail,the coupler 170 can comprise a form of a gear-wheel and the holdingelements 150, 151, 160 can comprise a form of a segment of a gear-wheel.The gear-wheel shaped coupler 170 can mesh with the gear-wheel segmentsof the holding elements 150, 151, 160.

The holding elements 150, 151, 160 can be displaceable mounted to theprevention element 220 such as, for example, by a pivot joint 175, asshown in FIGS. 3 to 5. In detail, each holding element 150, 151, 160 canbe mounted to the prevention element 220 by a latch type connection.Furthermore, the holding elements 150, 151, 160 can be displaceablemounted to the base body 149. Additionally, the prevention element 220and the base body 149 can be configured to guide the displacements ofthe holding elements 150, 151, 160.

Moreover, the holding elements 150, 151, 160 can comprise a number ofjaws 180 within the holding region 165 for holding the laboratory samplecontainer 130. In the shown embodiment, each holding element 150, 151,160 can comprise only one jaw 180. In alternative embodiments, at leastone of the holding elements may comprise two, three or more than threejaws.

In detail, the jaws 180 can be distributed around the central axis CA inan equidistant and equiangular manner. In the shown embodiment, an anglebetween the three jaws 180 can be 120 degrees.

The jaws 180 can be configured to be in direct contact with thelaboratory sample container 130 within the holding region 165, as shownin FIGS. 7 and 8. In one embodiment, the holding elements 150, 151, 160and their jaws 180, respectively, can be arranged in a symmetric manneraround the central axis CA of the sample container carrier 140 such thata point or line of contact of each of the holding elements 150, 151, 160with the laboratory sample container 130 can be equidistant from thecentral axis CA. In detail, the number of jaws 180 can comprise aflexible and/or soft material for holding the laboratory samplecontainer 130.

In the shown embodiment, the prevention element 220 is embodied as aplate. The prevention element 220 can be configured to prevent liquidand/or dust from getting into the coupling region 166. In detail, theprevention element 220 can directly contact the base body 149, as shownin FIG. 3. Furthermore, the prevention element 220 can be configured tosupport the laboratory sample container 130. In other words, theprevention element 220 can limit an insertion depth of the laboratorysample container 130.

The holding region 165 can be defined by the holding elements 150, 151,160 and the prevention element 220. The prevention element 220 canseparate the holding region 165 from the coupling region 166. Thecoupling region 166 and the holding region 165 can be arranged along thecentral axis CA. Furthermore, the holding region 165 can be surroundedand/or closed by the base body 149 with the exception, that the holdingregion 165 can be open at a top side 141 of the sample container carrier140 for enabling an insertion of the laboratory sample container 130into the sample container carrier 140.

In the shown embodiment, the laboratory sample container 130 can bedesigned as a tube having an opening at an in FIGS. 7 and 8 upper end.An end face of the laboratory sample container 130 can be supported bythe prevention element 220. The jaws 180 can hold or clamp thelaboratory sample container 130 at its circumference. The opening of thelaboratory sample container 130 can be facing away from the samplecontainer carrier 140 and its prevention element 220, respectively.

The holding elements 150, 151, 160 and their jaws 180, respectively, canbe configured to hold the laboratory sample container 130 such that alongitudinal axis of the laboratory sample container 130 in form of thetube accords with the central axis CA.

Further, the holding elements 150, 151, 160 and their jaws 180,respectively, can extend from the prevention element 220 away into theholding region 165 by approximately 15 mm. In one embodiment, a verticallength of the holding elements 150, 151, 160 and their jaws 180,respectively, within the holding region 165 can be approximately 15 mm.In other words, the holding elements 150, 151, 160 can be configured tohold the laboratory sample container at an approximately 10 to 15 mmlong end portion of the laboratory sample container 130. Thereby, a partof the circumference of the laboratory sample container 130 may not becovered by the holding elements 150, 151, 160 and their jaws 180,respectively. In other words, the part of the circumference can bevisible from the outside. For example, the laboratory sample container130 may comprise a not shown barcode at its circumference, which can bekept visible, when the laboratory sample container 130 can be held bythe sample container carrier 140.

Furthermore, each of the holding elements 150, 151, 160 can comprise alever arm 240. The lever arm 240 can comprise a curved shape. Therespective jaw 180 can be arranged at an end portion of the lever arm240 such that the lever arm 240 may not be in contact with thelaboratory sample container 130 when the laboratory sample container 130can be inserted into, held by, and/or removed from the sample containercarrier 140.

Moreover, the holding elements 150, 151, 160 and their jaws 180,respectively, each can comprise an insertion support 182, as shown inFIG. 1. Each of the insertion supports 182 can be configured tocooperate together with the laboratory sample container 130 to be heldsuch that the holding element 150, 151, 160 comprising the insertionsupport 182 can be displaced, when the laboratory sample container 130is inserted into the sample container carrier 140. In the shownembodiment, each insertion support 182 can be embodied as an inclinedplane. In detail, each insertion support 182 can be facing towards thecentral axis CA. An angle between the central axis CA and a respectiveinsertion support 182 may be in the range of 5 degrees to 45 degrees.

Further, the sample container carrier 140 can comprise a retainingelement 190 applying a force to the coupler 170 such that the holdingelements 150, 151, 160 can be force-loaded towards each other forholding the laboratory sample container 130, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.In the shown embodiment, the retaining element 190 can be mounted to thecoupler 170 and the prevention element 220. In detail, the coupler 170can comprise a coupler protrusion 171 and the prevention element 220 cancomprise a prevention protrusion 172, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. Theretaining element 190 can be mounted to the coupler protrusion 171 andto the prevention protrusion 172. In alternative embodiments,additionally or alternatively, the retaining element may be mounted toat least one of the holding elements and/or to the base body. Moreover,in alternative embodiments, the retaining element may not have to bemounted to the coupler and/or to the prevention element. In the shownembodiment, the retaining element 190 can be an elastic element in theform of a spring such as, for example, in form of a leg spring. Indetail, the retaining element 190 in the form of the spring can surroundthe coupler-holder 179.

Additionally, the retaining element 190 can apply a force such that theholding elements 150, 151, 160 can be displaced towards each other suchas, for example, into a default position, when the laboratory samplecontainer 130 is removed from the sample container carrier 140.

In the shown embodiment, the prevention element 220 such as, forexample, in the form of the plate, the coupler 170 such as, for example,the gear tooth system 230, and the retaining element 190 such as, forexample, in the form of the spring, can be arranged along the centralaxis CA, in particular in this order.

Furthermore, the sample container carrier 140 can comprise at least onestop element 235, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The at least one stopelement 235 can be configured to cooperate with the holding elements150, 151, 160 and the coupler 170 such that the displacements of theholding elements 150, 151, 160, in particular towards each other, can belimited. In one embodiment, the at least one stop element 235 can definethe default position.

In the shown embodiment, the respective stop element 235 can be fixed ata corresponding holding element 150, 151, 160. In one embodiment, therespective stop element 235 and the corresponding holding element 150,151, 160 can be embodied as one piece. The respective stop element 235can be arranged adjacent to the gear-wheel segment of the correspondingholding element 150, 151, 160. In the default position, the at least onestop element 235 can contact the coupler 170 at a corresponding stopsurface 236 of the coupler 170, such that a further rotational movementof the coupler 170 can be blocked.

In the default position, a distance between the jaws 180 can be smallerthan a minimal diameter of the laboratory sample container 130 to beheld. However, a distance between the upper ends of the insertionsupports 182 can be larger than a maximal diameter of the laboratorysample container 130 to be held.

Moreover, the base body 149 can comprise at least one displacement stop237, as shown in FIG. 2. The at least one displacement stop 237 can beconfigured to limit the displacements of the holding elements 150, 151,160 and their jaws 180, respectively, when the holding elements 150,151, 160 are displaced away from each other such as, for example, bycontact of the at least one displacement stop 237 with at least one ofthe holding elements 150, 151, 160.

In the shown embodiment, the at least one stop element 235 can bearranged within the coupling region 166. In alternative embodiments, thestop element may be arranged at a different position in or at the samplecontainer carrier. In the shown embodiment, the at least onedisplacement stop 237 can be comprised by or arranged at the base body149. In alternative embodiments, the displacement stop may be arrangedat a different position in or at the sample container carrier.

When the laboratory sample container 130 can be inserted into the samplecontainer carrier 140 towards the prevention element 220, the laboratorysample container 130 can contact at least one of the insertion supports182 and can cooperate with it. Thereby, the corresponding holdingelement 150, 151, 160 and via the coupler 170 the other holding elements150, 151, 160 can be displaced away from each other out of the defaultposition, as shown in FIG. 1 by arrows P1, P2, P3.

When the laboratory sample container 130 is present within the holdingregion 165 between the holding elements 150, 151, 160 and their jaws180, respectively, and supported by the prevention element 220, theretaining element 190 can push and/or pull the holding elements 150,151, 160 against the laboratory sample container 130. The coupler 170can ensure that the holding elements 150, 151, 160 can apply similar oridentical holding force values to the laboratory sample container 130.

Moreover, the sample container carrier 140 can comprise a magneticallyactive element 145 in form of a permanent magnet, as shown in FIG. 3.The magnetically active element 145 can be configured to interact with amagnetic field generated by a drive element 120 such that a drivingforce can be applied to the sample container carrier 140. In detail, themagnetically active element 145 can be arranged within a cavity of thebase body 149 such as, for example, in a lower part of the base body149. Thereby, the magnetically active element 145 may not betranslationally displaceable relative to the base body 149.

Further, the sample container carrier 140 can comprise a sliding surface111 at its underside. In detail, the base body 149 such as, for example,its lower part, can comprise an annular-shaped sliding surface 111.

FIG. 7 shows an inventive laboratory automation system 10. Thelaboratory automation system 10 can comprise an inventive laboratorysample distribution system 100 and a number of laboratory stations 20,25. The number of laboratory stations 20, 25 may comprise at least onepre-analytical, analytical and/or post-analytical station. In the shownembodiment, the laboratory stations 20, 25 can be arranged adjacent tothe laboratory sample distribution system 100. Self-evidently, more thanthe two laboratory stations 20, 25 depicted in FIG. 7 may be comprisedin the laboratory automation system 10.

The laboratory sample distribution system 100 can comprise a number ofsample container carriers 140 as described above and/or below.Self-evidently, more than the three sample container carriers 140depicted in FIG. 7 may be comprised in the laboratory sampledistribution system 100. Furthermore, the laboratory sample distributionsystem 100 can comprise a transport plane 110, a number of driveelements 120 and a control device 125. The transport plane 110 can beconfigured to support the number of sample container carriers 140. Thenumber of drive elements 120 can be configured to move the number ofsample container carriers 140 on the transport plane 110. The controldevice 125 can be configured to control the number of drive elements 120such that the number of sample container carriers 140 can move on thetransport plane along corresponding transport paths, such as, forexample, each of the sample container carriers 140 along an individualtransport path simultaneously.

The laboratory sample distribution system 100 can be configured todistribute the number of sample container carriers 140 and/or thelaboratory sample containers 130 between the laboratory stations 20, 25.

At least one of the laboratory stations 20, 25 may comprise or be agripper station for inserting the laboratory sample container 130 to thesample container carrier 140 or for removing the laboratory samplecontainer 130 from the sample container carrier 140.

In detail, the number of drive elements 120 can comprise a number ofelectro-magnetic actuators 121. The number of electro-magnetic actuators121 can be stationary arranged below the transport plane 110 and can beconfigured to generate a magnetic field to move the number of samplecontainer carriers 140 on the transport plane 110. In the shownembodiment, the electro-magnetic actuators 121 can be implemented assolenoids having a solid ferromagnetic core. The electro-magneticactuators 121 can be quadratically arranged in a grid having rows andcolumns such as, for example, in a plane parallel to the transport plane110. In each center of a quadrat formed by correspondingelectro-magnetic actuators 121, no electro-magnetic actuator may bearranged. In other words, in each second row in each second position,there is no electro-magnetic actuator 120.

The magnetically active element 145 of a respective sample containercarrier 140 can be configured to interact with the magnetic fieldgenerated by the number of electro-magnetic actuators 121 such that amagnetic driving force can be applied to the sample container carrier140.

The control device 125 can be configured to control the number ofelectro-magnetic actuators 121 such that the number of sample containercarriers 140 can move on the transport plane along correspondingtransport paths.

In detail, the electro-magnetic actuators 121 can be driven individuallysuch as, for example, by the control device 125, in order to generate amagnetic field for each sample container carrier 140. The magnetic fieldcan interact with the magnetically active device 145 of the samplecontainer carriers 140. As a result of the interaction, the magneticdriving force can be applied to the sample container carrier 140. Hence,the sample container carriers 140 can be translationally moved in twodimensions x, y being substantially perpendicular to each other on orover the transport plane 110. In the shown embodiment, the slidingsurface 111 of a respective sample container carrier 140 can beconfigured to be in contact with the transport plane 110 and can enableperforming movements such as, for example, slides, of the samplecontainer carrier 140 on the transport plane 110.

Furthermore, the laboratory sample distribution system 100 can comprisea number of Hall-sensors 141. The number of Hall-sensors 141 can bearranged such that a position of a respective sample container carrier140 on the transport plane 110 can be detected. The control device 125can be functionally coupled to the Hall-sensors 141 for detecting theposition of the sample container carrier 140. The control device 125 canbe configured to control the electro-magnetic actuators 121 in responseto the detected position.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 16, the sample container carrier140 can comprise a third holding element 151 and a fourth holdingelement 161. In alternative embodiments, the sample container carriermay comprise only two holding elements such as, for example, the firstholding element and the second holding element. Furthermore, inalternative embodiments, the sample container carrier may comprise threeor more than four holding elements.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 16, an angle betweenthe four jaws 180 can be approximately 90 degrees.

Moreover, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 16, the holding elements150, 151, 160, 161 and their jaws 180, respectively, can extend from theprevention element 220 away into the holding region 165 by about 30 mm.In one embodiment, a vertical length of the holding elements 150, 151,160, 161 and their jaws 180, respectively, within the holding region 165can be about 30 mm.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 16, the at least one stopelement 235 can be configured to cooperate with the holding elements150, 151, 160, 161 such that the displacements of the holding elements150, 151, 160, 161 may be limited.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 16, the respective stop element235 can be a part of the gear-wheel segment of the corresponding holdingelement 150, 151, 160, 161. In the default position, the at least onestop element 235 can contact the prevention element 220 at acorresponding stop surface 238 of the prevention element 220 such that afurther rotational movement of the respective holding element 150, 151,160, 161 can be blocked.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 16, an upper part ora housing, respectively, of the base body 149 can comprise two, inparticular different, housing parts 149 a, 149 b, as shown in FIGS. 15and 16.

In detail, one of the housing parts can be an upper housing part 149 aand another one of the housing parts is a lower housing part 149 b suchas, for example, arranged along the central axis CA.

This, in one embodiment, the two-piece housing, can enable an easyassembly of the sample container carrier 140 such as, for example, ofthe holding elements 150, 151, 160, 161, the coupler 170 and theprevention element 220.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 16, the upper housing part 149 aand the lower housing part 149 b can be connected such as, for example,mechanically connected, to each other by a snap type connection. Inalternative embodiments, the upper housing part and the lower housingpart may be connected to each other by a different type of connection.

Moreover, the sample container carrier 140 such as, for example, itsbase body 149, may comprise at least one element such as, for example,at its underside, to retain the magnetically

It is noted that terms like “preferably,” “commonly,” and “typically”are not utilized herein to limit the scope of the claimed embodiments orto imply that certain features are critical, essential, or evenimportant to the structure or function of the claimed embodiments.Rather, these terms are merely intended to highlight alternative oradditional features that may or may not be utilized in a particularembodiment of the present disclosure.

For the purposes of describing and defining the present disclosure, itis noted that the term “substantially” is utilized herein to representthe inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to anyquantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation.The term “substantially” is also utilized herein to represent the degreeby which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated referencewithout resulting in a change in the basic function of the subjectmatter at issue.

Having described the present disclosure in detail and by reference tospecific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications andvariations are possible without departing from the scope of thedisclosure defined in the appended claims. More specifically, althoughsome aspects of the present disclosure are identified herein aspreferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that thepresent disclosure is not necessarily limited to these preferred aspectsof the disclosure.

We claim:
 1. A sample container carrier for holding a laboratory samplecontainer and for transporting the held laboratory sample container in alaboratory sample distribution system, the sample container carriercomprising: a first holding element; a second holding element, whereinthe first holding element and the second holding element aredisplaceable towards and/or away from each other within a holding regionfor holding the laboratory sample container and wherein at least one ofthe first and second holding elements is rotationally displaceable; acoupler, wherein the coupler is connected to the first holding elementand to the second holding element within a coupling region such that thecoupler couples displacements of the first holding element and thesecond holding element and wherein the coupler is rotationally moveablesuch that the coupler couples by its rotational movement thedisplacements of the first holding element and the second holdingelement; a prevention element, wherein the prevention element isspatially arranged between the holding region and the coupling regionand is configured to prevent the laboratory sample container and/or alaboratory sample from getting into the coupling region, wherein thecoupling region and the holding region are arranged along a central axis(CA) of the sample container carrier, and wherein the coupler ismoveably mounted to the prevention element; and a coupler-holder,wherein the coupler-holder extends from the prevention element away intothe coupling region, wherein the prevention element and thecoupler-holder are embodied as one piece, and wherein the coupler ispivot-mounted to the coupler-holder such that the central axis (CA) is arotational axis of the coupler.
 2. The sample container carrieraccording to claim 1, further comprising, a gear tooth system, whereinthe coupler is connected to the first holding element and/or to thesecond holding element by the gear tooth system.
 3. The sample containercarrier according to claim 1, further comprising, a stop element,wherein the stop element is configured to cooperate with the firstholding element and/or the second holding element and/or the couplersuch that the displacements of the first holding element and the secondholding element are limited.
 4. The sample container carrier accordingto claim 1, wherein the first holding element and/or the second holdingelement are mounted to the prevention element.
 5. The sample containercarrier according to claim 1, wherein the first holding element and/orthe second holding element extend/s from the prevention element awayinto the holding region by maximum of 35 mm.
 6. The sample containercarrier according to claim 1, wherein the first holding element and/orthe second holding element extend/s from the prevention element awayinto the holding region by maximum of 30 mm.
 7. The sample containercarrier according to claim 1, wherein the first holding element and/orthe second holding element extend/s from the prevention element awayinto the holding region by maximum of 25 mm.
 8. The sample containercarrier according to claim 1, wherein the first holding element and/orthe second holding element extend/s from the prevention element awayinto the holding region by maximum of 15 mm.
 9. The sample containercarrier according to claim 1, wherein the first holding element and/orthe second holding element comprise/s a number of jaws within theholding region for holding the laboratory sample container.
 10. Thesample container carrier according to claim 9, wherein the first holdingelement and/or the second holding element comprise/s a lever arm,wherein the lever arm comprises a curved shape and wherein the jaw isarranged at the lever arm such that the lever arm is not in contact withthe laboratory sample container when the laboratory sample container isinserted into, held by and/or removed from the sample container carrier.11. The sample container carrier according to claim 9, wherein thenumber of jaws comprises a flexible and/or soft material for holding thelaboratory sample container.
 12. The sample container carrier accordingto claim 1, wherein the first holding element and/or the second holdingelement comprise/s an insertion support, wherein the insertion supportis configured to cooperate together with the laboratory sample containerto be held such that the holding element comprising the insertionsupport is displaced when the laboratory sample container is insertedinto the sample container carrier.
 13. The sample container carrieraccording to claim 1, further comprising, a retaining element applying aforce to the first holding element and/or to the second holding elementand/or to the coupler such that the first holding element and the secondholding element are force-loaded towards each other for holding thelaboratory sample container.
 14. The sample container carrier accordingto claim 1, further comprising, a magnetically active element, whereinthe magnetically active element is configured to interact with amagnetic field generated by a drive element such that a driving force isapplied to the sample container carrier.
 15. A laboratory sampledistribution system, the laboratory sample distribution systemcomprising: a number of sample container carriers according to claim 1;a transport plane, wherein the transport plane is configured to supportthe number of sample container carriers; a number of drive elements,wherein the number of drive elements is configured to move the number ofsample container carriers on the transport plane; and a control device,wherein the control device is configured to control the number of driveelements such that the number of sample container carriers moves on thetransport plane along corresponding transport paths.
 16. The laboratorysample distribution system according to claim 15, wherein the number ofdrive elements comprises a number of electro-magnetic actuators, whereinthe number of electro-magnetic actuators is stationary arranged belowthe transport plane and is configured to generate a magnetic field tomove the number of sample container carriers on the transport plane,wherein each of the number of sample container carriers comprises amagnetically active element, wherein the magnetically active element isconfigured to interact with the magnetic field generated by the numberof electro-magnetic actuators such that a driving force is applied tothe sample container carrier, and wherein the control device isconfigured to control the number of electro-magnetic actuators such thatthe number of sample container carriers moves on the transport planealong corresponding transport paths.
 17. A laboratory automation system,the laboratory automation system comprising: a number of laboratorystations; and a laboratory sample distribution system according to claim15, wherein the laboratory sample distribution system is configured todistribute the number of sample container carriers and/or laboratorysample containers between the laboratory stations.